NN018 Nissan and Infiniti Reference

Subject: Fuel system pressure testing for Nissan and Infiniti fuel injected engines
Symptom: Hard starting cold, overall poor performance, engine surges then stops
Source: Nissan service manuals
Fuel pressure either above or below specifications causes various driveability problems. This
reference outlines fuel pressure testing and specifications for various Nissan models.

Relieving Fuel Pressure and Connecting a Test Gauge

Residual pressure in the fuel injection system must be relieved before connecting a pressure
gauge for testing. Disable the fuel pump as follows:
198486 200SX and 300ZXdisconnect the fuel pump connector in the right rear tool
box area (200SX) or luggage compartment (300ZX).
198486 Maximadisconnect fuel pump relay on right fender in the engine
compartment.
All othersremove the fuel pump fuse from fuse box.
Start the engine and let it run. When the fuel in the system is exhausted, the engine will stall.
Crank the engine briefly to exhaust the remaining pressure; turn the ignition off. Wrap the
fitting with a clean shop cloth to absorb any spilled fuel. Then open the fitting.
Connect a fuel pressure gauge to the throttle body injection (TBI) assembly or to the fuel rail
for port-injected systems.

Fuel Pressure Test

z All TBI D21 (Hardbody) Pickup, Van and Pathfinder models, and 1987 and later TBI
Pulsar and Sentra with 1.6L engine:
1. Start engine and run at idle. The pressure gauge should read as follows at idle:
All V6 engines, Van, and 4WD models: 36 psi
1989 Sentra and Pulsar: 43 psi
All other models: 14 psi
2. On 1989 and later models (except Sentra and Pulsar), disconnect the vacuum line from
the fuel pressure regulator located at the TBI unit. Unregulated pressure at idle should be
44 psi. Reconnect the vacuum line and the gauge reading should return to the previous
pressure.
3. Shut the engine off. Relieve fuel pressure, remove the gauge, and connect the fuel hose.

z All 1984-86 port-injected models (except Pulsar with 1.6L engine):

1. Start the engine and run at idle.
Fuel pressure at idle should be 30 psi
2. Unplug the vacuum hose at the pressure regulator.

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 NN018 Nissan and Infiniti Reference

3. Connect a hand vacuum pump to the regulator fitting.

4. Pressurize the system for a regulated pressure test as follows:
a. 200SX and 300 ZXdisconnect the fuel pump connector in the right tool box area
(200SX) or luggage compartment (300ZX). Apply battery power to the connector.
b. Maximadisconnect the fuel pump relay on right front inner fender. Insert jumper
wire between black/white and light green/red wire terminals in connector.
c. Turn the ignition switch on; do not start the engine.
Regulated fuel pressure (relay bypassed, key on, engine off) should be:
No vacuum to regulator: 36 psi
5 in-Hg vacuum: 34 psi
10 in-Hg vacuum: 31 to 32 psi
20 in-Hg vacuum: 26 to 28 psi
5. If pressure gauge readings are not as specified, replace the pressure regulator on the fuel
rail. Reconnect the pressure regulator vacuum hose. Relieve system pressure. Remove
the pressure gauge. Reconnect the pump connector or relay.

z All 198788 port-injected models:

1. Start the engine and run at idle. Fuel pressure at idle should be:
Sentra: 13 to 15 psi
Pulsar: 36 psi
Stanza: 37 psi
All others: 30 psi
2. For all models except Sentra and Pulsar, quickly open and close the throttle. The fuel
pressure (throttle snapped open) should be:
Stanza, 300ZX Turbo: 44 psi
All others: 37 psi
3. Relieve system pressure, remove the pressure gauge, and restore all connections.

z All 1989 and later port-injected models:

1. Start the engine and run at idle.
Regulated fuel pressure at idle should be as shown in Table NN018-1.

Table NN018-1 Regulated fuel pressure (part 1 of 2)

NISSAN INFINITI
FUEL PRESSURE FUEL PRESSURE
MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR
(psi) (psi)
200SX 199597 34 G20 19912002 36
Through 1994 33 19962001 34
240SX I30
199598 34 2002 51
Through 1993 30 J30 19932001 37
300ZX
199496 43.4 M30 199092 34
19932001 34 Q45 19902002 34
Altima
2002 51 QX4 19972002 34
QG 1.8L and QR 2.5L only

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 NN018 Nissan and Infiniti Reference

Table NN018-1 Regulated fuel pressure (part 2 of 2)

NISSAN INFINITI
FUEL PRESSURE FUEL PRESSURE
MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR
(psi) (psi)
Through 1994 36
Maxima 19952001 34
2002 51
Pathfinder, Through 1994 43
Truck, Xterra 19952002 34
Pulsar Through 1994 36
Quest 19932002 34
1994 36
Sentra 19952001 34
2002 51
Stanza Through 1992 37
QG 1.8L and QR 2.5L only

2. Disconnect the vacuum line at the pressure regulator with the engine idling.
3. Note the pressure gauge reading.
Unregulated pressure should be as shown in Table NN018-2:

Table NN018-2 Unregulated fuel pressure

NISSAN INFINITI
FUEL PRESSURE FUEL PRESSURE
MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR
(psi) (psi)
200SX 19952001 43 G20 19912002 43
240SX All 43 I30 19962001 43
300ZX Through 1993 37 J30 19932001 44
non turbo 199496 Not OEM specified M30 199092 43
300ZX Turbo All 44 Q45 19902002 43
Altima 19932001 43 QX4 19972002 43
Through 1994 44
Maxima
19952001 43
Pathfinder, Through 1994 Not OEM specified
Truck, Xterra 19952002 43
Pulsar All 43
Quest 19932002 43
Sentra 19942002 43
Stanza All 44
Except 2002 QG 1.8L and QR 2.5L

4. Reconnect the vacuum line to the pressure regulator.

The pressure gauge should return to the previous (regulated pressure) reading.
5. Shut the engine off.
6. Relieve system pressure, remove the pressure gauge and reconnect the fuel hose.

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 NN018 Nissan and Infiniti Reference

Troubleshooting Fuel Pressure Problems

After testing fuel pressure, use the following guidelines to help troubleshoot pressure that is
below or above specifications.

z If fuel pressure is low:

1. Check for a plugged fuel filter.
2. If the filter is good, clamp off the fuel return line with pliers. If pressure rises, replace the
pressure regulator.
3. If pressure does not rise with the return line clamped off, replace the pump.

z If fuel pressure is high:

1. Check for a restriction in the fuel return line.
2. If the return line is not restricted, replace the pressure regulator.

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